Noise sensitivity and nonrestorative sleep in Chinese adults

Objectives: Non-restorative sleep has gained increasing attention as a target for treatment. Our pilot household study showed initial results that lead us to this proposed project, aiming to assess the influence of noise sensitivity on non-restorative sleep and examine to what extent the influence is moderated by nocturnal noise exposure. Hypothesis: Noise sensitivity is associated with non-restorative sleep, after adjusting for confounding factors. Design and subjects: A population-based household survey of 500 Hong Kong Chinese adults who are not on medications for sleep disorders. Instruments: Actigraphy, nocturnal noise exposure by a portable dosimeter, audiometry (in 20 randomly selected subjects), and WATCH-PAT (in 20 randomly selected subjects). Questionnaire on demographics, lifestyles, degree of feeling refreshed after waking up, Chinese Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Perceived Health Questionnaire, and the ISO/TS 15666 standard. Main outcome measures: Non-restorative sleep and actigraphy Data analysis: 95% confidence intervals will be used to estimate the non-restorative sleep. Influence of noise sensitivity on non-restorative sleep will be assessed by multiple linear regression, with adjustment for socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, anxiety, depression, stress, co-morbidities, and somatic symptoms. Model adequacy will be assessed by examining model residuals. Expected results: This proposal will ascertain the influence of noise sensitivity on non-restorative sleep, quantify the moderating effect of nocturnal noise exposure, and estimate the non-restorative sleep level. These results may inform the consideration of assessing noise sensitivity in people with sleep complaints, and identify individuals vulnerable to the impact of noise.

Funding Source: HKSAR Govt - Others^